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Seven-string players generally fall into one of two categories: those who use the low B string primarily to create crushing bass chunk, and shredders like Rusty Cooley, who deftly apply their extensive musical vocabulary and virtuoso technique to the guitar’s full, extended range. Cooley’s contributions aren’t limited to awe-inspiring musical prowess—his recent work with Dean Guitars has advanced the art of seven-string construction and resulted in some of the style’s most playable and tonally balanced instruments. Newest among these collaborative creations is the Dean Rusty Cooley signature RC7X Wraith, an import accompaniment to his USA models that offers custom graphics and inlays, high-end components, effortless playability and a street price under $1,100.

The 35th-annual Kennedy Center Honors aired December 26 on CBS. The performance, which was recorded December 2 in Washington, DC, honored Led Zeppelin, Dustin Hoffman, David Letterman and ballerina Natalia Makarova.

DigiTech has introduced several new generations of the Whammy pedal since the first version was discontinued, in 1993. Despite the new features and improvements introduced with each new model, Whammy connoisseurs still consider the original the one to own.

The White album has surpassed Abbey Road. Jack White's Blunderbuss was named the top-selling vinyl album of 2012, beating The Beatles' perennial vinyl top-seller, which had claimed that spot for the past seven years.

When the members of Soundgarden—singer and guitarist Chris Cornell, guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Matt Cameron—reunited in 2010 after more than a decade apart, making a new album was the last thing on anyone’s mind. According to Thayil, the band reconvened only to address some outstanding business matters. But musical connections can have a powerful allure. Within a short time, they picked up their instruments and began booking scattered live dates, including a headlining appearance at 2010’s Lollapalooza and, the following year, a full-scale summer shed tour.

I reviewed Hughes & Kettner’s Tubemeister 5 mini amp a few issues ago, and was impressed by both its feature set and huge sound. The new Tubemeister 36, with 36 watts of output and three channels, offers considerably more features in a compact package that’s only about twice the size of the Tubemeister 5. The Tubemeister 36 may still qualify as a mini amp, but the only things small about it are its physical dimensions and affordable price. It offers versatility, performance and functions that aren’t available on many three-channel amps nearly four times its size.

Throughout the decades, Phish have made a habit of performing "out of the blue" covers during their fan-favorite New Year's Eve Shows. In the past, they've performed complete albums by The Beatles (the White Album) and Pink Floyd (Dark Side).

As is tradition in recent years, the Allman Brothers Band have announced a 10-date residency in New York City in March. The legendary Southern rock troupe will take over the Beacon Theater March 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15 and 16.

T-Rex Effects, the Danish effects pedal manufacturer, will introduce two “next generation” pedals to North America at the 2013 Winter NAMM Show this coming January in Anaheim, California: the Møller 2 and Sweeper 2.